AID and ASSISTANCE: Kenya to Get Sh19 Billion From EU for Refugees

The European Union has announced a €17 million (Sh19 billion) in aid to help Kenya deal with the refugee problem.

The pledge, part of the EU Humanitarian Implementation Plan for 2016 made on Thursday, means that Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia will share out the €77 million (Sh8.6bn) in assistance targeting about 1.7 million refugees.

“The money will mostly cover the needs in food, nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, protection and education in emergencies,” a statement from the EU headquarters in Brussels said.

Kenya hosts 549,733 refugees, mainy from Somalia and South Sudan; according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Last year, UNHCR said it needed $251 million (Sh250 billion) to manage the refugees. This year’s funding appeal could be higher, given the drought and El Niño rains from November, 2015.

“No country can individually provide essential services to so many refugees. We need to strengthen the resilience of displaced populations and host communities,” Mr Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management said after touring Dadaab Refugee camp on Thursday.